[Ohio-Talk] Spring issue of the Buckeye Bulletin

[Asia Quinones-Evans]

I would like this in Word. Thanks.

On Sat, May 21, 2022 at 10:28 AM Barbara Pierce via Ohio-Talk <
ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> If anyone wants this in Word, write me at the listed email, and I will
> send it.
>
> Spring 2022 Buckeye Bulletin
>
> A publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
>
>
> Barbara Pierce, Editor
> 198 Kendal Drive
> Oberlin, OH 44074
> barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
> (440) 774-8077
>
> http://www.nfbohio.org
>
> Richard Payne, President
> 1019 Wilmington Ave., Apt. 43
> Kettering, OH 45420
> rchpay7 at gmail.com
> (937) 829-3368
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
> expectations, because low expectations create obstacles between blind
> people and our dreams. You can live the live you want; Blindness is not
> what holds you back.
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio is a 501(c)3 consumer
> organization comprised of blind and sighted people committed to changing
> what it means to be blind. Though blindness is still all too often a
> tragedy to those who face it, we know from our personal experience that
> with training and opportunity it can be reduced to the level of a physical
> nuisance. We work to see that blind people receive the services and
> training to which they are entitled and that parents of blind children
> receive the advice and support they need to help their youngsters grow up
> to be happy, productive adults. We believe that first-class citizenship
> means that people have both rights and responsibilities, and we are
> determined to see that blind people become first-class citizens of these
> United States, enjoying their rights and fulfilling their responsibilities.
> The most serious problems we face have less to do with our lack of vision
> than with discrimination based on the public’s ignorance and misinformation
> about blindness. Join us in educating Ohioans about the abilities and
> aspirations of Ohio’s blind citizens. We are changing what it means to be
> blind.
>
> The NFB of Ohio has eight local chapters, one for at-large members, and
> special divisions for diabetics, merchants, students, seniors, guide dog
> users, and members of communities of faith. This newsletter appears three
> times a year and is circulated by email, posted on NFB-NEWSLINE®, our
> digitized newspaper-reading service by phone, and can be read or downloaded
> from our website, www.nfbohio.org. For information about the National
> Federation    of the Blind of Ohio or to make address changes or be added
> to the mailing list, call (440) 774-8077 or email
> barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com. For information about NFB-NEWSLINE, our
> free digitized newspaper-reading service, call (866) 504-7300. Local
> NEWSLINE numbers are: 330-247-1241 (Akron), 330-409-1900 (Canton),
> 513-297-1521 (Cincinnati), 216-453-2090 (Cleveland), 614-448-1673
> (Columbus), 937-963-1000 (Dayton), 567-242-5112 (Lima), 567-333-9990
> (Mansfield), 740-370-6828 (Portsmouth), 937-717-3900 (Springfield),
> 419-806-1100 (Toledo), and 330-259-9570 (Youngstown).
>
>
>
>
> Dream Makers Circle
>
> You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a
> member of our Dream Makers Circle. Your legacy gift to the National
> Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio can
> be made in the form of a will or living trust or an income-generating gift
> or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, pension, or a
> life insurance policy. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage,
> or list NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For additional information
> contact Patti Chang at (410) 659-9314, extension 2422 or at pchang at nfb.org
> .
>
> The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the
> education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans,
> and much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process
> donated vehicles. Please call toll-free (855) 659-9314, and a
> representative can make arrangements, or you can donate online by visiting
> www.nfb.org/vehicledonations <http://www.nfb.org/vehicledonations>.
>
> Contents
>
> From the President’s Desk Believing in the Full Capacity of the Blind by
> Richard Payne
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010474>
> A First-Timer's Guide to Convention
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010475>
> Editor’s Musings by Barbara Pierce
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010476>
> The Documents in the Case
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010477>
> Asserting Your Rights When The Police Are Involved by Todd Elzey
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010478>
> The NFB of Ohio Adopts an Inclusion Policy by Eric Duffy
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010479>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Contributes to Ohio 14C Task
> Force by Todd Elzey
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010480>
> Do you have Shelbi’s Commitment by Eric Duffy
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010481>
> The Right to Parent by Suzanne Turner
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010482>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Scholarship Program 2022-2023
> by Jordy Stringer
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010483>
> Aira Once Again Available for the Ohio State Fair by Eric Duffy
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010484>
> Ohioans Featured in the Community Service Division National Newsletter
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010485>
> Buckeye Briefs
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010486>
> Activities Calendar
> <applewebdata://A2925DD2-1588-450D-8DCA-552F823BEA1D#_Toc104010487>
>
>
> *****
>
> From the President’s Desk
> Believing in the Full Capacity of the Blind
> by Richard Payne <>
> When I started in the Federation years ago, it was easy to be committed to
> a cause because many of my friends were just like me, fresh out of school
> and willing to work and fight for the right to be equal. Most of us
> graduated from the school for the blind and could not wait to be free: free
> from dormitories and to live in the community, free from working on the
> campus earning small wages, and free to be independent, integrated, and
> unrestricted. However, we quickly found ourselves transitioning into a
> segregated and sub- minimum-wage environment, hoping that a change was
> going to come.
>
> So, as I reflect on my experiences as a young Federationist who worked
> inside the walls of a large domestic plant that employed me and hundreds of
> blind workers who fought for equal pay and an opportunity to advance, it
> has become more and more clear to me that even in 2022 that fight still
> remains today. I have received, mediated, and helped to source guidelines
> for work discrimination in a variety of vocations. The individual, gender,
> and skill set may be different, but the direct target is the same:
> blindness. Thus I have learned that discrimination is not just about the
> color of skin but covers a broad range of intersectionalities. We must have
> a safe, protected space to face issues that can improve, not only the
> culture of the Federation, but every social structure, protecting our right
> to live, play, and work equally.
>
> Through working in the late 80’s for what is now a National Industries for
> the Blind workshop, I learned about a meeting held by my blind co-workers
> who were upset because every sighted employee received a pay raise that did
> not include blind employees who performed equal work. They also were
> concerned about the lack of upward mobility and a number of other issues
> that kept blind people from advancing. Needless to say, that heated
> discussion led to a vote to elect a spokesperson to take their concerns to
> the manager of the workshop. To my amazement, it was my name that was
> suggested, mostly because of my activity in the National Federation of the
> Blind of Mississippi. I assumed that many of those people who were older
> and much wiser than I--only eighteen at that time--would have been a better
> choice. When the manager of the workshop heard about blind people voting to
> strike and speaking against his authority, he grew angry, informing the
> supervisors that the blind wanted an increase in pay, which would make them
> lose their disability benefits. He also instructed them to find out who had
> attended the meeting and to report the names.
>
> Later that afternoon I bumped into him, and his attitude toward me was as
> if he was speaking to a child or a worker on his plantation. That was just
> how he made me feel, as he told me that he had heard about the meeting and
> that he would be attending the next one and would put his fifty years of
> taking care of blind people up against our big mouths. I was livid and said
> to him, “It is crazy for you to talk down to me, and I look forward to
> seeing you at the next meeting.” Later that week every blind worker was
> called to the cafeteria for the meeting. The manager tried to convince us
> that he had to give the increase to the sighted workers because they were
> more qualified and getting better jobs out in the community. He said that
> keeping them was vital. We questioned him and explained that the blind and
> sighted workers did the same work, worked the same hours, and produced
> equally. So why was it that in his eyes sighted workers’ skills were
> valued, and the blind were not? Even as a young man, I recognized this as
> discrimination. As we all know, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
> came a few years later.
>
> After that meeting I am sorry to say that the other blind employees who
> decided not to strike blamed me for starting trouble. Even some of those
> who wanted to strike determined not to take part in any other meetings. So
> the outcome was the increase in pay for the sighted workers. Later I
> painfully learned that the fight had been the ultimate divider among my
> peers. Then the workshop manager suddenly laid off most of the blind
> workers and kept only enough employees to fill small orders, and most of
> these were sighted. This was to show us that, not only could he run the
> plant without us, but most of us at that time could not receive
> unemployment insurance or get another job. As we do today when
> discrimination is at the forefront, we called the State Affiliate, and in
> some cases now the legal team at the National Office in Baltimore,
> Maryland, for advice, support, and direction.
>
> I quickly called the State President of the Federation, and he
> communicated with the Director of Rehabilitation, who sternly informed the
> workshop manager that the law required that 75% of the workers had to be
> blind people or people with a another disability. We were immediately
> called back to work. Though changes were slow, blind employees began to
> earn higher wages because of the help of the Federation.
>
> However, my first understanding of discrimination was not because I was
> blind but because of color in high school, before I lost my sight. When I
> was in a high school math class, the teacher would write on the board “WB,”
> “BB,” “WG,” and “BG.” This is how he counted his students. I enquired the
> meaning of the abbreviations, and he sent me out into the hall to wait for
> him. To my amazement he wanted to punish me. I refused to accept the
> punishment, so he sent me to the principal’s office. I still did not
> understand what was going on until after my principal took the same
> attitude. He sent me home with a note instructing them to punish me and not
> to send me back If no action was taken. My parents were outraged. To make a
> long story short, they went to see the administration at the school. My
> grandmother had fair skin, and my grandfather was a direct descendant of a
> slave with a very dark complexion. They were a strong combined force. They
> were not afraid and were very well respected. Even though I was not allowed
> in that meeting, I did not face any punishment, and the letters that
> counted the color of students in class vanished from the chalk board.
>
> I will be the first to tell you that discrimination is not just about the
> color of skin but covers a broad range of intersectionalities. We must have
> a safe space and address issues that can improve the culture even in the
> Federation. It is a privilege to serve as President of the Ohio Affiliate,
> an entity that is diverse in many ways. Our philosophy says that blind
> people are as different as sighted people are; that is, we are a
> cross-section of the broader society and therefore not all alike as some
> assume. The blind have organized for the same reasons other minorities
> have—to make positive social change through collective action.
>
> I believe in the capacity of the blind and will stand on this
> organization’s principle that “blindness is not the characteristic that
> defines me or my future.” I am a testament that hopes and dreams are
> realized through hard work, staying the course, and serving people.
> Everyone must have an opportunity to realize their full capacity, be it
> attending to the doors of a chapter meeting or testifying before Congress
> or working for Key Bank or Tesla. We will continue to fight for the rights
> of the blind with the focus being on the things that continue to keep this
> organizational fabric intact.
>
> I am stronger and wiser because of who I have grown to be, but also
> because of the organization with which I am affiliated while fighting for
> change and equal measures while in the ditches of discrimination. It is the
> National Federation of the Blind with which I stand tall and boldly
> anchored, confident in the capacity of the blind.
>
> *****
>
> A First-Timer's Guide to Convention <>
> Editor’s note: Suzanne Turner called our attention to the following
> article on the NFB website. It is intended to be a useful introduction to
> the national convention for first-time attendees. But it seemed to us that
> it was also a valuable summary of what the Federation is and the part that
> the national convention plays in the lives of Federationists. The article
> was slightly out of date, so we have edited it for accuracy in 2022. We
> hope that you will find it interesting and helpful in shaping your
> understanding of the Federation. Here it is:
>
> Throughout the week you will have amazing opportunities to network with
> thousands of competent, blind role models employed in exciting careers,
> attend presentations on a wide variety of empowering topics, view the
> latest in technology, and network with dynamic leaders in the field of
> blindness. A lot happens at each convention, so this guide is intended to
> give you an overview of what you will experience at your first convention.
> It is available in Braille, in large print, and on our website at
> www.nfb.org. For many, attendance at that very first convention has
> become a life-changing experience. Many hear for the very first time that
> it is respectable to be blind, that carrying a cane is useful and nothing
> to be ashamed of, that Braille is a valuable tool after all, and that much
> progress is being made in access technology. Attendees also learn that they
> are not alone, that there are others who are facing the same problems they
> are, and that an active and normal life is possible and within their reach.
> For more specific details about this year's convention, consult the
> convention agenda, the Braille Monitor, and the NFB's convention webpage.
>
> For a more personal introduction to your first convention, plan to attend
> the Rookie Roundup, usually held in the evening of the first day of the
> gathering, this year July 5. There you will meet your fellow rookies, be
> welcomed by Federation leaders (including the President), and get some
> advice from convention veterans on what to do and when to do it. The
> convention is full of opportunities to learn, work, play, and network (both
> formally and informally). The only thing you won't get much of at a
> National Federation of the Blind convention is sleep!
>
> From the President:
>
> I am delighted to welcome you to your very first national convention of
> the National Federation of the Blind. These pages are a brief overview of
> our conventions and the unique role that they play in the life of our
> movement. Your presence at convention is important! Being here means that
> you are a part of the largest gathering of blind people held anywhere in
> the world. I believe that you can and will benefit from the strength and
> knowledge that you will gain from the many blind people you will meet at
> the convention, and the National Federation of the Blind certainly needs
> your ideas and your voice. I hope you come to feel the love, the power, and
> the unity of purpose this convention brings to blind people and their
> families who choose to attend--NFB President Mark A. Riccobono
>
> Community and Conduct at Convention
>
> To allow all attendees the chance to benefit from all aspects of the
> convention, the National Federation of the Blind is committed to providing
> a harassment-free environment for everyone. We appreciate your assistance
> in cultivating an atmosphere in which participants from diverse backgrounds
> may learn, network, and share with each other in an environment of mutual
> respect. Our organization is deeply committed to diversity as well as
> integrity and respect. Please contact the Information Desk or notify your
> state affiliate president if you need assistance or have
> questions/concerns. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to our
> community and the high expectations we strive to maintain.
>
> Some Notes about the National Federation of the Blind
>
> A Brief Organizational History
>
> The National Federation of the Blind was established in 1940.
> Representatives from seven states gathered in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania,
> for the founding convention. Those seven states were California, Illinois,
> Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The founder and
> first President of the NFB was Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, a blind lawyer born in
> Canada but raised primarily in California. While attending the California
> School for the Blind, Dr. tenBroek was taught and mentored by Dr. Newel
> Perry. Dr. Perry believed that the only way that the blind would improve
> their situation, which back then was usually one of poverty and misery, was
> to come together in organizations and engage in collective action. In the
> early part of the twentieth century, Dr. Perry himself had organized the
> alumni of the California School for the Blind in order to--as he put
> it--"escape defeatism and to achieve normal membership in society."
>
> Dr. tenBroek spent most of his working life in Berkeley teaching at the
> University of California. However, in his early career, during a short
> teaching stint at the University of Chicago School of Law, he founded the
> National Federation of the Blind. Today the National Federation of the
> Blind has fifty-two affiliates: one in each of the fifty states, plus the
> District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
>
> Federation Philosophy
>
> You will probably hear conventioneers discussing what they call
> "Federation Philosophy." What they are talking about is the Federation's
> positive belief system about blindness. Members of the Federation realized
> the simple truth many years ago that blind people are just people who
> cannot see--we are not broken sighted people. Blind people are as different
> as sighted people are; that is, we are a cross-section of the broader
> society and, therefore, are not all alike as some assume. Blindness is a
> physical characteristic, but it is not the characteristic that defines us
> or our future. It is low expectations and misconceptions, not blindness
> itself, that stand between blind people and our dreams. Given proper
> training and opportunity, blind people can and do live the lives we want.
> It is respectable to be blind, and, with the right tools and techniques,
> blindness may be reduced to the level of a nuisance or inconvenience.
>
> To combat the low expectations, misconceptions, and stereotypes that are
> the true barriers to achieving our dreams, the blind have organized for the
> same reasons other minorities have--to make positive social change through
> collective action. The Federation philosophy provides an overall framework
> for thinking about blindness, what it means, and what it doesn't mean.
> However, it is not intended to be rigid or dogmatic. As we just said, blind
> people are individuals, and we may disagree on any number of things,
> including how to handle a given situation as blind people. What our
> philosophy does do is give us a positive way of thinking about our
> blindness, rather than the negative ways in which we have often been
> conditioned to think about it by society. Rather than saying that we as
> blind people can't do something, we try to find ways that we can, and to
> challenge each other, in a loving way, always to push the envelope and
> expand the limits of our independence.
>
> As you read further, you'll discover that, to the extent we need to
> formulate specific positions about blindness and the policies related to
> it, we use a democratic process to arrive at these positions. The National
> Federation of the Blind also provides encouragement and support. to
> families with blind children and to people who are losing vision or have
> become blind later in life, by bringing them into a network of tens of
> thousands of blind people who are living full lives and who can serve as
> mentors and role models. Together, with love, hope, and determination, the
> members of the National Federation of the Blind transform dreams into
> reality.
>
> What Is the Function of the National Convention?
>
> The national convention is held once each year in a location chosen by the
> President based upon successful negotiations for the needed space. We are
> able to negotiate outstanding room and meeting space rates at hotels with
> many dining options, comprehensive room amenities, and first-rate
> facilities. While a lot happens at the convention, it's important to
> remember that its primary function is to serve as the governing body for
> the National Federation of the Blind. So, while some of the details in the
> following pages may seem very technical, it's important for you to
> understand how the convention works as a governing body so that you can
> fully participate in selecting the leadership and setting the policy of the
> organization.
>
> At the convention national officers and board members are elected by the
> general membership, decisions concerning the organization are made, and
> policies are set for the following year or years. To quote briefly from the
> NFB Constitution (last revised in 2014):
>
> The Convention is the supreme authority of the Federation. It is the
> legislature of the Federation. As such, it has final authority with respect
> to all issues of policy. Its decisions shall be made after opportunity has
> been afforded for full and fair discussion. Delegates and members in
> attendance may participate in all convention discussions as a matter of
> right. Any member of the Federation may make or second motions, propose
> nominations, and serve on committees; and is eligible for election to
> office except that only blind members may be elected to the National Board.
>
> The national convention also has some very practical benefits for
> attendees. Those who are new to blindness and parents and teachers of blind
> children can meet and learn from successful role models and have their
> expectations raised. Friendships are made and renewed, the latest access
> technology for the blind is on display, tours of interesting places can be
> taken in your spare time (if you have any), and hope for the future is
> kindled. The convention is, in a sense, a large family gathering and has
> been described by one observer as analogous to an annual meeting of the
> Scottish clans. This means, of course, in addition to the serious business
> of the convention, that there are lots of opportunities just to have fun.
>
> How Big Is the Convention?
>
> NFB national conventions have experienced enormous growth through the
> years. There were sixteen representatives from the seven founding states at
> the 1940 meeting. Just two years later--at a 1942 Des Moines, Iowa,
> meeting--one
>
> hundred fifty representatives from fifteen state affiliates were on hand.
> The convention first recorded more than one thousand attendees in 1971 in
> Houston, Texas. Attendance went over the two thousand mark for the first
> time in 1988 in Chicago. By the convention held in New Orleans in 1997,
> registration topped more than three thousand for the first time. Currently,
> between two thousand eight hundred and three thousand three hundred
> attendees will be present.
>
> The Facilities
>
> As mentioned earlier, the National Federation of the Blind is usually able
> to negotiate space and outstanding room rates at top-notch convention
> hotels and facilities. This means that you'll have access to a comfortable
> room (which you won't spend much time in), plenty of dining options, and
> amenities like fitness centers, swimming pools, and the like. Because we
> have a big convention, we need a lot of space, and sometimes navigating it
> can be intimidating at first. That's why your agenda will include a
> comprehensive description of the convention facilities and where they're
> located. In addition, both blind and sighted volunteers will be present
> throughout the convention to provide direction and help you get where
> you're going, if needed. So grab your cane or harness up your guide dog,
> and go out there and enjoy all the convention has to offer.
>
> The Schedule
>
> The NFB national convention packs an unbelievable number of activities
> into six days. Day one includes the parents' seminar, a national
> orientation and mobility conference, several technology seminars, and other
> special meetings and events as well as the Rookie Roundup. On day two
> registration begins in the morning, and the Resolutions Committee convenes
> in the afternoon. The agenda also lists other special meetings. On day
> three the national board of directors meeting, which is open to all, occurs
> in the morning, and various committees, groups, and divisions gather in the
> afternoon and evening. Day four brings the opening of the formal
> convention, with the roll call of states in the morning and the
> Presidential Report and other program items in the afternoon. There are
> more committee and divisional meetings on the evening of day four. On day
> five general convention sessions are held in both the morning and the
> afternoon. Elections are scheduled on this day, as well. Day six is the
> last day of convention; the morning and afternoon general sessions are
> followed by the annual evening banquet, a convention highlight.
>
> Convention Agenda
>
> The convention agenda is available at registration and can also be
> obtained at a number of other locations at the convention site. Moreover,
> it can be found on the NFB website at www.nfb.org as soon as it is final,
> which is usually about a month before the convention begins. The agenda
> gives general information about the convention, hotel rates, and other
> hotel information, and it shows the times and locations of the various
> meetings and general sessions.
>
> The Presidential Report
>
> One of the major presentations each year is a report delivered by the
> national President to the entire convention on the Federation's activities
> and progress during the previous year. All attendees are urged to be
> present for this major event, which is usually the first item on the
> afternoon agenda on day four. The President will tell you and your fellow
> conventioneers about the legal victories we have won after blind people
> faced discrimination, the new programs and initiatives we've started to
> help blind people achieve success in all aspects of life, the ways in which
> we're making technology more accessible to the blind, and more. You'll also
> hear the stories of individual members who are living the lives they want.
>
> The Banquet
>
> The annual banquet is the highlight of each convention. It is held on the
> final night of the convention. The banquet features several national award
> presentations, the scholarship
>
> winners, and a major address by the national President, focusing on our
> philosophy of blindness and designed to inspire us to continue to build the
> Federation.
>
> Committees, Groups, and Divisions
>
> In addition to the three days of general convention sessions, many smaller
> groups affiliated with the NFB hold their annual meetings during the
> national convention. These are groups such as blind students, blind
> lawyers, parents and teachers of blind children, blind secretaries, blind
> businessmen and women, blind teachers, blind guide-dog users, blind
> computer users, blind rehabilitation professionals, blind seniors, and
> blind diabetics. These meetings are open to all, and you will want to look
> at the agenda to select those which might be of interest to you. Attendees
> are encouraged to attend more than one division meeting if they have
> interest in more than one area. Some of these committees or divisions
> collect dues, and some do not.
>
> Registration and Banquet Ticket Purchase
>
> For those who have not pre-registered online, registration starts on day
> two. All attendees are requested to register, and the outstanding hotel
> group rates are not available to those who do not. In addition, to be
> eligible for door prizes, you must be registered. An official badge is
> issued to each registrant and should be worn throughout convention week.
> Banquet tickets for the banquet held on the final night of convention week
> are available for purchase when you register. Banquet tickets should be
> purchased as early in the convention as possible and are not available for
> purchase after the lunch break on day four.
>
> The Banquet Ticket Exchange
>
> All convention attendees are encouraged to attend the banquet. When the
> convention and banquets were smaller, attendees simply went to the banquet
> hall, waited in line to enter, and found a seat once inside. Now, because
> more than two thousand people will be present, a system for reserved
> seating has been developed. Purchase your banquet ticket at the time of
> registration. Then you can turn in that ticket to whoever is assigned to
> get reserved seats for your affiliate, or you can pool your ticket with a
> group of friends so that you can all sit together. Your group designee will
> hand in the tickets at banquet exchange and in return will get the same
> number of tickets, but now with an assigned table number. You should get
> your new ticket from the banquet exchange designee and present it at the
> banquet. If needed, volunteers will help you find your table, and you can
> then enjoy the banquet with your Federation family.
>
> State Delegations in the General Sessions
>
> During the three days of general convention sessions, the meeting hall
> will be set up with flags indicating the location of each of the state
> affiliates. The number of seats per delegation is based upon the
> registration figures. It's a good idea to sit with your affiliate's
> delegation. In this way people can be located easily if they are needed.
> Moreover, official voting delegates have the membership at hand if they
> wish to poll the delegation on voting issues or if they wish to determine
> the consensus of their affiliate's representatives.
>
> How Is the Convention Run?
>
> As mentioned earlier, the national convention is the supreme governing
> authority of the National Federation of the Blind. Consequently, important
> business must be done at the convention in an orderly and democratic
> manner. The following information describes how the convention is run,
> including how votes are taken, how resolutions are considered, and more.
>
> General Sessions
>
> The general sessions consist of program items, reports, panel discussions,
> elections, and official votes on policy issues. General convention sessions
> customarily are chaired by the Federation President. Floor microphones are
> available for comments and questions from the audience when time permits.
>
> Official Voting
>
> Usually, on votes for elections, motions, or for the adoption of
> resolutions (see below), the President will call for voice votes. In such
> cases it is usually clear that a vast majority has voted one way or
> another. However, if the outcome of a particular vote is not absolutely
> clear, then the President will ask for a roll call vote. In the event of a
> roll call vote, only official delegates of the affiliates may vote. In
> order to be as democratic as it can be in its decision making, the
> Federation has decided that each state affiliate will have one vote during
> a roll call vote. At the opening general session, each affiliate names its
> official voting delegate and an alternate or alternates in the event that
> the official delegate is absent at the time of a given vote. Then, when a
> roll call vote is taken, only the official voting delegates may cast votes.
> Therefore, a maximum of fifty-two official votes may be cast. The secretary
> keeps the official tally and announces votes once decisions have been made.
> The official delegate may poll his or her delegation on the question or
> motion being considered, which is one reason why it's a good idea to sit
> with your affiliate's delegation. Some have asked why the Federation has
> not adopted a one person, one vote policy. The concern with this method is
> that a very few large state affiliates could control the outcome on every
> issue. Therefore, the Federation has opted to give each state equal
> representation, as the United States Constitution does with respect to the
> US Senate.
>
> Elections
>
> The Federation has a national board consisting of President, First Vice
> President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve
> additional board members, each of whom serves for terms of two years. The
> five constitutional officers and six of the twelve board members are
> elected during national conventions in even-numbered years, and the
> remaining six board members are elected at conventions during odd-numbered
> years.
>
> At the roll call of states held on the morning of the first general
> session, each affiliate announces its appointee to the Nominating
> Committee. The President then designates one of these nominees to be
> Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. This committee then develops its
> slate of candidates during a private meeting, which is closed to the
> general membership so that free and frank discussions may be held. Note:
> This is the only closed Federation meeting at the national convention.
>
> The actual elections are then held during a designated general session,
> usually on the morning of day five. The candidate offered for each position
> by the Nominating Committee is first placed in nomination. The chairperson
> then calls for other nominations from the floor. In order to be completely
> open and democratic, the Federation has a long-standing policy of calling
> for other nominations three times before a motion to close nominations will
> be accepted by the chairperson. In this way it can never be alleged that a
> quick vote has been pushed through without time for other nominations. If
> no other nominations are made, then typically a motion to close nominations
> and elect the nominating committee's candidate by acclamation is offered.
> If other nominations are made, then an election is held among the
> candidates nominated. The chairperson will usually try to conduct the
> election by voice vote of the entire convention, but in the event that no
> candidate has a clear majority, then the chairperson will conduct a roll
> call vote, in which only the official delegate for each affiliate will
> participate.
>
> It is also long-standing policy that an individual will not stand for
> election unless he or she has agreed to run. This policy avoids the problem
> of electing unwilling candidates.
>
> Resolutions
>
> Resolutions are the official policy statements of the organization. Anyone
> may offer a resolution. The customary method is to submit a proposed
> resolution to the Chairman of the Resolutions Committee at least two weeks
> before the convention. The Resolutions Committee--appointed by the
> President--holds a public meeting on the afternoon of day two of the
> convention. The resolutions that have been submitted to the committee
> chairperson are then considered one at a time. Typically the committee will
> allow the proponent of a resolution to speak in support of it; otherwise,
> although the meeting is public in order to maintain full transparency, only
> members of the committee speak during deliberations.
>
> After full discussion of each resolution in turn, the committee votes
> either to pass or not pass. If the committee passes a particular
> resolution, then it comes before the full convention in general session for
> final action. This means that there will be several days in which to debate
> contentious issues and to try to politic for favorable votes before final
> convention action is taken.
>
> If a resolution is not passed by the committee, it can still be considered
> by the Convention if its proponent can gather support according to the
> following procedure: if he or she is able to enlist five state affiliates
> to request that the resolution be heard, then it will be considered by the
> entire Convention on the final meeting day.
>
> Although it is somewhat rare, a resolution may also be brought to the full
> Convention through the national board of directors. A majority of the
> directors must support the resolution in order to bring it to the floor in
> this manner.
>
> Other Things to Know
>
> National Scholarships
>
> The Federation has an outstanding college scholarship program; it awards
> thirty national scholarships at each national convention, each in the value
> of $8,000. Applications close on March 31 of each year.
>
> As many as five hundred to seven hundred individuals apply for these
> scholarships annually. Each spring the Scholarship Committee meets in
> Baltimore, evaluates the applicants, and offers scholarships to the top
> thirty candidates. These thirty scholars attend the national convention,
> with assistance from the NFB. They spend each day with designated mentors.
> When the students arrive, they know that they are one of the select thirty.
> It is not decided until a meeting of the Scholarship Committee the night
> before the banquet who will receive the named scholarships.
>
> Generally the students will all receive a scholarship; the only question
> is who will receive which scholarship. The scholarship class together
> chooses which of them will be given the opportunity to represent the class
> by speaking briefly at the banquet.
>
> All blind students residing and attending school in the fifty states, the
> District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico are invited to apply for National
> Federation of the Blind scholarships, even if they have previously won.
> Those who win a second or subsequent scholarship are called tenBroek
> Fellows, in honor of NFB founder Jacobus tenBroek.
>
> Exhibits
>
> A major exhibit area is designated at each national convention. This gives
> convention goers the opportunity to look over all of the latest access
> technology, to talk with officials from such agencies as the National
> Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the American
> Printing House for the Blind, and to buy items from exhibitors. Convention
> attendees are also invited to browse the NFB's extensive free literature
> collection on display as well as to examine and purchase items from the NFB
> store, known as the Independence Market. Because the NFB convention is the
> largest gathering of blind people anywhere in the world, many technology
> companies and others who provide products and services to the blind launch
> new products at our convention, so you will probably want to visit the
> exhibit space and find out what's new and noteworthy. Near the entrance of
> the exhibit area, you'll find an information table, where you can get a
> print or Braille map of the exhibit hall and a list of all the exhibitors
> and their locations.
>
> Exhibits are open during various times throughout much of the convention,
> but they are closed for the general convention sessions because all
> conventioneers are encouraged to attend these meetings. As with other areas
> of the convention, the growth in the number of exhibitors through the years
> has been gratifying. In Atlanta in 2004, the number of exhibitors topped
> one hundred for the first time.
>
> Door Prizes
>
> Significant door prizes are drawn throughout general convention sessions
> and at the banquet. To be eligible to win, you must be registered and
> present at the meeting where the prize is drawn. Each morning session
> begins on time with a drawing for a $100 bill. Similar drawings occur
> periodically throughout general sessions and at the banquet. The grand
> prize drawn at the banquet is much larger than the others.
>
> Convention Fundraising
>
> Five different types of fundraising will be discussed during the
> convention. These are:
>
> The White Cane Fund: A time will be set aside during the Convention when
> buckets will be passed through the audience to receive cash donations for
> the White Cane Fund. Affiliates will also make gifts or pledges to this
> fund. These dollars go directly to the general treasury of the Federation.
>
> The Jacobus tenBroek Fund: Donations will also be made to this fund for
> the maintenance and upkeep of the NFB Jernigan Institute property. This
> property houses the operations of the NFB and other entities.
>
> The Kenneth Jernigan Fund: The proceeds from this fund are used to bring a
> number of attendees to their first national convention. It is named for Dr.
> Jernigan, who planned our conventions for more than forty years and who did
> so much to make them what they are today.
>
> The Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan: This giving opportunity
> enables individuals to make regular financial contributions to support the
> programs and activities of the Federation. The PAC Plan has insured a
> consistent flow of monthly income to fund some of the Federation's work. By
> signing up for the PAC Plan, a donor agrees to make an automatic monthly
> contribution to the Federation; the donation is withdrawn directly from a
> checking account or charged to a credit card. The individual designates how
> much he or she wants to contribute each month and specifies a day of the
> month on which the money should be withdrawn from the account. To
> participate in the PAC Plan, the donor must have a checking account or
> credit card, complete a PAC Plan card, sign and turn over a voided check
> (if the contribution is to be withdrawn from a checking account), and begin
> with a monthly donation of at least $5.00. Supporters of the Federation
> contribute between $400,000 and $500,000 each year through this giving
> opportunity.
>
> SUN (Shares Unlimited in NFB) Shares: Supporters of the Federation are
> also able to make either monthly or annual donations for SUN Shares. These
> funds are set aside in the event that they are needed to support the
> Federation during difficult times.
>
> Guide Dog Relief Area
>
> In order to accommodate blind guide-dog users at the national convention,
> arrangements are made each year to construct a special facility where the
> dogs may be taken to relieve themselves. This special area is refreshed
> several times each day.
>
> Representatives of the Guide Dog Committee are available to show
> first-time convention goers where to take their animals and to assist in
> learning individual clean-up practices. Dog users are expected to use these
> special facilities rather than to permit their animals to relieve
> themselves in the streets or on other hotel property.
>
> Services for Spanish Speakers
>
> All the general sessions and the banquet proceedings are translated by
> volunteers for attendees who speak Spanish. Small receivers may be borrowed
> to listen to the audio transmission. A Hispanic Seminar and a Spanish
> Translation Committee meeting also take place during convention.
>
> Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability
>
> The convention of the National Federation of the Blind is designed and
> implemented to be accessible especially to blind people in that materials
> are offered in accessible formats, and other nonvisual aids are provided
> (therefore special requests for these items are not required). If you
> require specific accommodations based on your disability other than
> blindness, in order to participate fully and equally in the Convention, we
> urge you to let us know as soon as possible. Specific accommodations for
> which requests are required include requests for deaf or deaf-blind
> interpreters. Due to the size and complexity of this convention, as well as
> the need appropriately to plan for additional human and other resources,
> requests for specific accommodations must be submitted to
> jerniganinstitute at nfb.org no later than May 31 of the convention year.
>
> Small receivers are available for the hearing impaired to receive direct
> transmissions from the public address system. For those who may be totally
> deaf and use a deaf-blind communication device for interpreting, volunteers
> are present to translate the general session and the banquet proceedings.
> The Deaf-Blind Division also holds a seminar and a business meeting during
> convention.
>
> Who Attends the Convention?
>
> Attendees may be long-time convention goers, the newly blinded, parents
> and teachers of blind children, blindness professionals who are interested
> in becoming more knowledgeable about blindness, access-technology
> providers, and family members of people who are blind. Most attendees are
> from the United States, although each year foreign visitors from as many as
> twenty other countries attend the convention.
>
> A Life-Changing Experience
>
> For many attendance at that very first convention has become a
> life-changing experience. Many hear for the very first time that it is
> respectable to be blind, that carrying a cane is useful and is nothing to
> be ashamed of, that Braille is a valuable tool after all, and that much
> progress is being made in access technology. Attendees also learn that they
> are not alone, that others face the same problems they face, and that an
> active and normal life is possible and within their reach. Some learn for
> the first time that there are orientation and adjustment centers where
> blind people can be sent by their rehabilitation counselors to learn the
> skills of blindness and the positive attitudes which lead to personal
> empowerment.
>
> We hope that by attending our convention your expectations of yourself are
> raised, so that blindness is no longer the characteristic that defines you
> or your future, and that low expectations no longer stand between you and
> your dreams. We want you to become empowered to live the life you want.
>
> The President's Wrap-Up
>
> I hope this information has been helpful to you and that it has given you
> a sense of the significant role the national convention plays in the life
> of the NFB. I also hope your interest has been piqued and that you will
> continue to be an active member of our movement through your local chapter
> and state affiliate. Let this convention experience mark the first of many
> others in your life. We need your voice and your talents. Working together,
> with love, hope, and determination, we will continue to make a difference
> in the lives of blind people everywhere and transform our dreams into
> reality.--NFB President Mark A. Riccobono
>
> *****
>
> Editor’s Musings
> by Barbara Pierce <>
> As blind people we all know that we can face an infringement of our civil
> rights at almost any moment. We often wonder what we would do, how we would
> react, how well we would understand our rights, and how far we would be
> prepared to go in standing up for ourselves. I was once arrested for the
> crime of sitting in the airplane seat to which I had been assigned. So I
> know that you can find yourself in the middle of a confrontation before you
> know what is happening.
>
> That is the situation in which Asia Quinones-Evans of the Lorain County
> chapter and the Ohio Association of Blind Students found herself on
> February 15 of this year. The following article is a compilation of the
> documents in her case, but I am devoting this column to a discussion of the
> legal facts and personal situation that she faced.
>
> Asia is a student at Lorain County Community College. She frequently
> depends on rideshare services to travel to and from classes. As has
> happened before, she called an Uber on February 15 to take her home at the
> end of the day. When the car arrived, the driver announced that she would
> not transport a pet. Asia explained that her dog was a trained guide dog
> and that Uber policy as well as federal law (the ADA) and state law (the
> White Cane Law) protected her right to have her dog accompany her in the
> car. This situation had occurred before, and Asia allowed the driver to
> cancel the ride and call another driver who was willing to transport a dog.
> This driver did neither of these things. In fact, she began talking about
> being allergic to dogs, and she continued to refuse to allow Asia to enter
> her car. Eventually she called LCCC security, and an officer arrived and in
> turn called an Elyria police officer.
>
> Asia found herself in a stand-off. By this time she had grabbed the handle
> of the car door so that the driver could not leave. The security officer
> was not interested in learning about state and federal laws much less Uber
> company policy. He saw his job as to de-escalate the situation and keep
> anyone from being hurt. He told Asia to let go of the door handle; the
> driver did not. Both the security officer and the Elyria policeman have
> maintained in writing that the driver offered to call another driver and to
> cancel the ride. Asia maintains that she did neither. In support of Asia’s
> position is the fact that she was the one who ultimately canceled the ride
> and paid for it.
>
> Though no one at the scene seems to have pointed the fact out, Asia had
> unknowingly transgressed the LCCC code of conduct, which requires students
> to obey orders given by security staff. Asia had been instructed to let go
> of the door handle and did not do so.
>
> Eventually the Elyria police officer negotiated an agreement for the
> security officer to transport Asia to her destination. (Her mobile phone
> was dead, by now, so she could not call anyone for a ride.) Thus the
> confrontation was resolved, and Asia was left to pick up the pieces.
>
> I asked Todd Elzey, who is a former attorney, what he would have done in
> that situation. He said unhesitatingly that he would have complied because
> he could have found a way to fight the accessibility battle after the fact.
> Mind you, Asia was not offered a resolution by the driver, and her phone
> was dead so, without the intervention of the police, she had no way of
> calling for a ride. We can argue that Asia was engaging in civil
> disobedience, and breaking a law or institutional rule always has the
> possibility of a penalty. But we would all do well to think through what
> our choices are in such a confrontation. Now let’s see what the documents
> tell us about how the case played out in the real world.
>
> ******
>
> The Documents in the Case <>
> Following are the communications in which Asia Quinones-Evens’s struggle
> with an Uber driver unfolded. The first one is Asia’s email to the NFB’s
> legal office. Here it is:
>
> On February 15, 2022, I was denied an Uber due to my guide dog. I ordered
> an Uber at 4:55 pm, and it arrived at my location, Lorain County Community
> College, at 5:10 pm. I walked up to the vehicle and confirmed the driver's
> name. Before I could open the door, the driver told me she could not take a
> pet and that I did not order an Uber Pet for my dog. After I told her that
> he was not a pet but a service dog, she then changed her story to that she
> had allergies and could not have any animals in her vehicle due to the
> allergies. I did not release the handle of the vehicle and kept letting her
> know that in the Uber policies they must take service dogs and their
> handlers. This went on for about twenty minutes, and she ended up locking
> her doors so that I could not get into her vehicle and so she could call
> Uber on the phone. I was not sure if this was true because as a rider I
> cannot find a phone number to directly call Uber. The driver kept making
> protests that she could not take me and my animal because she had
> allergies. She kept saying specifically “animal” when I would mention that
> he was a service dog. The driver kept arguing that I should have ordered an
> Uber Pet for my dog because then the driver would have known that they
> would be letting an animal into their vehicle. I had the thought that
> something like this would happen when Uber Pet was available in most
> cities. This continued for a while, and she ended up rolling up her window
> and ignoring me holding on to her vehicle. After about another thirty
> minutes of this she somehow got the security of my college involved, and
> they contacted the Elyria Police Department, and they came out to speak to
> me about the situation. I continued holding on to the handle of the vehicle
> because I knew I was in the right to request a ride from Uber without
> letting a driver know that I had a service dog. I could not take a video of
> this entire situation because my battery on my phone was running low. When
> the police and the security officer were there, I told them that I had the
> right to the Uber that I ordered, and the driver could not deny me service
> just because of my service dog. The driver started to get frustrated with
> the fact that the officer could not cajole me to let go of her vehicle and
> yelled at the police officer that, if he could not get me to let go, she
> would press charges of kidnapping and a hostage situation. The police
> officer tried to convince me to go back into the building and warm up. I
> never had physical contact with the driver. During this entire time my
> phone still had power, and I was able to see that the driver never canceled
> the ride or ordered me another driver. I have had similar situations in the
> past, but the driver canceled right away and ordered me another driver. The
> police officer took the side of the driver of her not wanting to drive me
> because of allergies because his son also has allergies and, if his son got
> around any dog, he would have difficulty breathing. Finally my phone died,
> and I eventually took the option to have the security officer of the
> college drive me to where I wanted to go. The location I wanted to go was
> Avon High School, which was only about ten minutes away. I do not know what
> happened to the police and the Uber driver when I left. I did get my phone
> on charge while I was being driven to the High School and filed a complaint
> on the driver. The only response that I have gotten back at the time of
> this email is that they were sorry for my inconvenience, and they will
> fully investigate it. This whole situation was about an hour long while the
> driver refused me service, and it was about twenty-eight degrees outside
> with the temperature going down. While I was getting into the security
> officer's vehicle, the Uber driver yelled at me that I should never use my
> disability the way that I was. I also heard her comment to the police
> officer that I was making her lose money by holding her up from another
> ride.
>
> There you have Asia’s account of what happened on February 15. She was
> soon notified by LCCC that she had violated the LCCC code of conduct.
> Specifically the charge that seemed to stick was that she had not obeyed
> the order of the security officer by refusing to let go of the door handle.
> The LCCC hearing officer scheduled a hearing at 4:00 on March 1. Valery
> Yingling, the paralegal who works at the NFB national office, and Scott
> LaBarre, the NFB general counsel, were both very helpful in preparing Asia
> for this ordeal, and Barbara and Bob Pierce, members of her chapter,
> attended the meeting. Asia was armed with information about the Ohio White
> Cane law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Uber policy
> requiring their drivers to admit passengers using guide dogs. The hearing
> officer, Andrew Gatti, was totally uninterested in this information. He
> said in so many words that LCCC had no interest in state or federal law.
> The school has a code of conduct, which Asia had violated. Gatti had
> already virtually waived the penalty for a code of conduct violation by
> saying that the college usually dismissed the record or penalty for a first
> offence. But Asia had already been warned by her boss that she would lose
> her job because as a student senator she would be held to a higher
> standard. Gatti told her that she would receive a letter telling her of his
> decision, and she would have fourteen days to appeal the decision. We left
> the hearing, but Bob Pierce could not sleep that night because he was so
> angry at the injustice, so at three in the morning he got up and wrote the
> following letter to the LCCC president, hoping to warn the school that the
> NFB was willing to stir up press interest in this event.
>
> March 3, 2022
>
> Dear President Ballinger:
>
> I am writing as secretary of the local chapter of the National Federation
> of the Blind. My wife and I attended a March 1 hearing of a disabled
> student at Lorain County Community College, Asia Quinones-Evans, before
> code of conduct officer Andrew Gatti, who we believe is planning to rule
> against her as a violator of the school code of conduct. Our understanding
> of the incident, which he seems to accept as factual, is as follows:
>
> Asia called for an Uber driver to take her home. When the driver arrived,
> she refused to allow her to get into the car because she had a pet. Asia
> explained that her dog was a trained dog guide and that the driver had a
> legal obligation to give her service under both state and federal law as
> well as Uber policy. At this point the driver changed her position,
> claiming to have an allergy to dogs and continued to refuse her service.
> Asia demanded her right and held on to the car door. The driver called an
> LCCC security officer, who called in the Elyria police, who came and
> refused to insist that the driver accept Asia because his son has allergies
> and instructed Asia to let the driver leave. The driver asserted that Asia
> would have to pay the charge for the car. Asia reports that her employer in
> a college job has threatened to discharge her because of the sanction
> against her, even though the proposed penalty is apparently supposed to
> serve as a warning.
>
> It seems clear to the National Federation of the Blind that LCCC has
> failed in its responsibility to Asia under the Americans with Disabilities
> Act. Despite information on LCCC’s website describing the training and work
> of a guide dog, its agents saw no need to support her in her clear right to
> public transportation for her and her guide dog. She needs the college job
> to help finance her continued study at LCCC. She certainly intends to
> appeal the ruling of your officer, and we intend to support her in that
> process. We hope that you will see fit to intervene in this matter, in
> keeping with the sterling reputation of the school as a model of community
> education and a supporter of all students, including the disabled.
>
> Sincerely yours,
>
> Robert B. Pierce
>
> Barbara Pierce, former President, NFB of Ohio, and former editor of the
> Braille Monitor
>
> This letter must have stirred up things at LCCC. Here is the response that
> the president wrote the same day:
>
> March 3, 2022
>
> Dear Mr. and Mrs. Pierce,
>
> Thank you for your thoughtful communication and advocacy for a member of
> our LCCC community, Asia Quinones-Evans. Asia brings her personal
> experience and commitment to advocacy into her leadership work, and has
> contributed a great deal to our student-centered culture.
>
> I am apologetic for Asia’s experience that day. It will continue to inform
> the manner in which we support student access to transportation and other
> basic needs. Through our awareness of the incident and conversations with
> Asia, we have been able to more thoroughly understand Uber’s service animal
> policy. We recognize that drivers working for Uber are required to
> facilitate such requests, and regret that this did not occur for Asia on
> that day.
>
> When the safety and security of individuals on our campus becomes of
> concern during an incident, it is our intention to de-escalate and move
> toward a resolution. We then ensure students’ voices and perspectives are
> heard, and that incidents are reviewed and addressed fairly. Asia’s meeting
> with Andrew Gatti was an important step in our ability to understand this
> incident through Asia’s perspective, and also allowed for increased
> awareness of the policies of Uber and other transportation services.
>
> Ultimately, this experience, coupled with Asia’s advocacy and leadership,
> has provided us with an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of
> accessibility challenges related to transportation and beyond.
>
> Asia’s advocacy remains a positive characteristic in her leadership on our
> campus, and our teams are now equipped to serve in an advocacy role for her
> and other students who rely on Uber for transportation to and from our
> campus.
>
> LCCC is committed to facilitating holistic, restorative discussions with
> students during hearings and conduct decisions. My understanding is that a
> decision has not yet been determined after Asia’s hearing earlier this
> week, though information is under review and a determination will likely be
> made this week.
>
> Asia can be proud of her contributions to our campus community, and we
> look forward to continuing to support her in achieving her academic,
> career, and personal goals.
>
> Thank you for your advocacy of Asia in her pursuit of higher education and
> as a member of our valued LCCC community.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Marcia Ballinger
>
> When we received that letter, we could not imagine that the school was
> going to penalize Asia, causing her to lose her job. Uber took four days to
> determine that Asia should receive $15 back from the ride charge, and they
> gave the driver a warning though no penalty. However, we would just have to
> wait for the official LCCC letter to learn what would happen as a result of
> the sanction. But it seemed as if we had been left with unfinished business
> with the Elyria Police Department. We kept remembering how the officer
> simply refused to enforce the law because his son suffered allergies. We
> had to decide whether to file an official complaint or try to educate the
> police department about the law. We decided to try contacting the police
> chief to see if we could get to first base. Here is the email that Barbara
> Pierce wrote to Chief William Pelko on March 7:
>
> Dear Chief Pelko:
>
> I am trying to contact you by this email in the hope that we can find an
> informal way of resolving a problem that has occurred involving Captain
> Hammonds. I am a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Lorain
> County. Ms. Asia Quinones-Evans is also a member of the chapter and a
> student at Lorain County Community College.
>
> On February 15 Asia called an Uber car for a ride from LCCC to Avon High
> School. When the car arrived, the driver noticed that Asia was accompanied
> by her guide dog Grayson. She immediately refused to allow the dog into the
> car because she did not want to transport a pet. Asia explained that
> Grayson is a trained guide dog and that the Ohio White Cane Law, the
> Americans with Disabilities Act, and Uber company policy all require that
> drivers allow trained guide dogs into their vehicles.
>
> The driver then said that she was allergic to dogs, and she continued to
> refuse Asia entry to the car. Asia grabbed the door handle and refused to
> let go. The driver called LCCC security, who in turn called the Elyria
> Police.
>
> The security officer ordered Asia to let go, which she refused to do,
> opening her to an LCCC code of conduct violation. Captain Hammonds refused
> to enforce the law because he said that his son has allergies, so he knew
> how distressing admitting the dog to her car would be for the driver.
>
> On March 1 the code of conduct officer conducted a hearing, but no
> decision letter has yet been issued. The LCCC president has, however,
> written a letter to my husband and me the tone of which is strongly
> suggestive that LCCC plans to back down from the code of conduct sanction,
> but we do not actually know what is going to happen.
>
> I am writing all this to you because of Captain Hamonds’ decision not to
> enforce Ohio and federal law in this situation. Surely the Elyria Police
> Department does not generally enforce only the laws its officers are
> sympathetic to. Do officers ignore speeders if they recognize and like
> them? Do they not administer breathalyzer tests to happy or cheerful
> drunks? Do they refuse to take seriously women who accuse men of rape if
> they are wearing tight clothing?
>
> Service dog handlers have fought hard to win the right to use their
> animals to travel anywhere the rest of the public has the right to go. Uber
> has established a policy that states that drivers who do not admit service
> animals to their vehicles can no longer use the Uber driver’s app.
>
> I hope that you find this incident as disturbing as I do. We can file a
> complaint against Captain Hammonds, but I hope that we can find a way to
> educate the police force about the rights of service animal users so that
> they can count on being supported by police officers.
>
> I look forward to a conversation soon with you about this incident and the
> larger issue that it points up.
>
> Very truly yours,
>
> Barbara Pierce
>
> Barbara heard nothing from Chief Pelko for several days. Eventually he did
> return a telephone call trying to follow up on the email. By that time he
> had received both the report from the LCCC security force and Captain
> Hammonds. We have never received these documents, but it seems pretty clear
> that their version of the confrontation and Asia’s were very different.
> Naturally enough, we believe that Asia was more accurate and that the
> driver may well have lied about her allergies. Asia’s phone clearly
> reflects the fact that, contrary to what the officers reported, the driver
> did not cancel the ride and try to find another driver.
>
> The effort to educate the police force was an abject failure. The chief
> was prepared to push the confrontation over the supposed allergy to the
> absurd. He argued that, if Hammonds had insisted on forcing the driver to
> transport Asia and Grayson and was then involved in an accident because of
> the severity of her allergic reaction, Captain Hammonds would be
> responsible for the crash. He claimed that the police are fully aware of
> the White Cane Law and the ADA and that the Uber policy was not important.
> In short we got nothing from the discussion. There was nothing left but to
> wait for the letter from LCCC announcing the code of conduct decision. It
> was emailed to Asia on March 11, 2022
>
> March 11, 2022
>
> Asia Quinones-Evans
>
> Sent electronically to a.quinonesevans1 at mail.lorainccc.edu
>
> PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
>
> Regarding Case Number: 2021005501
>
> Ms. Quinones-Evans,
>
> This letter is a follow-up to our recent conduct meeting where we
> discussed events related to the incident that was brought to our attention
> on February 15, 2022, on the College Center Loop. As a result of this
> incident and your conversation with me on March 1, LCCC has been able to
> thoroughly review the concern.
>
> While Uber and other transportation services are not necessarily connected
> with LCCC, this incident and the following review have provided us with the
> opportunity to learn about the provider’s guidelines and contracted
> drivers’ obligation to serve individuals with service animals. Reviewing
> and understanding these guidelines will help us to support and advocate for
> you and other students who may be using the services for transportation to
> and from campus.
>
> It is important to note, however, that, when the safety and security of
> individuals on our campus become of concern, it is our intention to
> de-escalate and move towards resolution. When we met and discussed this
> incident in full, you shared with me that you had failed to comply with
> college officials. I appreciated this level of honesty and admission, as
> following the directives of safety personnel on campus is included in our
> campus code of conduct.
>
> After reviewing the statements in this case and your admissions during our
> meeting, I have determined that your response during the February 15
> incident does violate the Code of Conduct in the following manner:
>
> ·      VII Prohibited Behaviors (14): Failing to comply with directives of
> college officials or law enforcement officers acting within the scope of
> their duties.
>
> However, you will not be sanctioned at this time and are permitted to
> participate in all LCCC-sponsored events and courses. All conduct-related
> holds have been removed from your student account.
>
> Our conversation and this communication, however, will serve as a reminder
> that failure to cooperate with college officials and law enforcement while
> on campus may be considered violations of the Code of Conduct and could
> result in sanctions.
>
> You have the right to appeal the outcome of this meeting to the Vice
> President of Enrollment Management and Student Services within the next 14
> calendar days. To submit an appeal, please send an email to Sarah Chapman
> at schapman at lorainccc.edu. Your deadline to appeal is 03/25/2022, and no
> appeals will be accepted after this date. More information about the appeal
> process can be found in our Code of Conduct Procedures (
> https://www.lorainccc.edu/policies/campus-policies/code-of-conduct/).
>
> Please continue to monitor your student email for any additional
> communications. Should you have any questions or concerns related to the
> information contained herein, you may contact me directly at 440-366-4776
> or via the email address listed below.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Andrew Gatti
>
> Conduct Hearing Officer, Lorain County Community College
>
> There you have it. Did Asia win or lose? She was found guilty of an
> infraction of the Lorain County Community College code of conduct because
> she did not follow the instruction of the security officer. On the other
> hand, she is clearly held harmless. No sanction has been recorded, and no
> penalty of any kind has been imposed. The president’s letter certainly
> expresses an institutional willingness to learn from the incident, and Asia
> is held harmless. The Elyria Police have certainly learned nothing, but we
> will count as a victory the fact that the college seems to have learned
> something.
>
> *****
>
> Asserting Your Rights When The Police Are Involved
> by Todd Elzey <>
> Editor’s note: Todd Elzey is treasurer of the NFB of Ohio. He also has
> experience with law enforcement. Here is important information about how we
> might effectively educate police forces. This is what he says:
>
> If you are as old as I am, you might remember that the advocacy efforts of
> the past often involved sit-ins in government buildings, picketing
> organizations like the National Accreditation Council (NAC), or refusing to
> give up your seat on an airline because you were blind and the airline
> didn’t want you sitting in an exit row or didn’t want you storing your long
> white cane at your seat. In those days you occasionally risked being
> arrested as part of these protests. The world has changed, and certainly
> the world of law enforcement has changed over the years. But the need to
> protect our rights and the need sometimes to protest in some manner when
> our rights as blind citizens are denied remains.
>
> Recently we had an NFB of Ohio member who had to make the hard decision of
> how far to push a situation with law enforcement to protect her rights. In
> this situation, Asia Evans called for an Uber to pick her up from a college
> class. When the Uber arrived, the driver refused to transport Ms. Evans
> because she had a guide dog. The driver told Ms. Evans that she didn’t
> transport pets. Of course, Ms. Evans explained that hers was a guide dog,
> not a pet. Ms. Evans explained that both Uber policy and the Americans with
> Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 required the driver to transport passengers
> with guide dogs. The driver continued to refuse to provide transportation
> services, stating that she was allergic to dogs. Ms. Evans made the bold
> decision to hold on to the car door handle to prevent the driver from
> leaving without providing the transportation services she was obligated to
> provide. The driver called campus security.
>
> When campus security arrived, they instructed Ms. Evans to let go of the
> ca handle. Ms. Evans refused, explaining that she was asserting her rights
> under the ADA and Uber policy to receive transportation services with her
> guide dog. The campus security officer did not believe Ms. Evans had this
> right, and, instead of helping her, he called the Elyria, Ohio, Police.
>
> The Elyria Police dispatched a Captain who deals with issues at the
> college. When he arrived, he instructed Ms. Evans to let go of the door
> handle. When Asia explained why she was holding onto the car, the captain
> also refused to enforce Ms. Evans’ rights under the ADA and Ohio law. The
> captain stated that he would not force the driver to transport a guide dog
> because his son was also allergic to dogs, and he understood how bad that
> can be. Eventually, a peaceful resolution to this situation was found when
> the Elyria Police captain and Campus Security arranged alternative
> transportation for Ms. Evans. But this could have been a dangerous
> situation.
>
> Either of the officers could have gone overboard by physically forcing Ms.
> Evans to release the car door handle. Campus Security could have insisted
> that Ms. Evans be arrested for her conduct and her refusal to comply with
> their order. The Elyria officer could have potentially also chosen to
> arrest Ms. Evans on charges for refusing a lawful order, disturbing the
> peace, or something similar. Had there been a physical arrest and the
> officer believed she was resisting by not letting go of the car door, Ms.
> Evans could have even been hurt.
>
> After this incident came to light, I was asked, based on my experience as
> a former lawyer, whether I would have taken the same action as Ms. Evans.
> My response was based more on my experience of having family and friends in
> law enforcement and my recent experience participating in the Kettering
> Citizens Police Academy, than it was on my legal background.
>
> There is little doubt in my mind that both Campus Security and the Elyria
> Police Department were wrong on the law. The ADA and Ohio Revised Code
> Section 955.43 state that businesses cannot refuse to provide services to
> guide dog users. In fact, Ohio Revised Code Section 955.99 makes it a 4th
> degree misdemeanor for a business to refuse access to a guide dog user. So
> I believe Ms. Evans was correct that the Uber driver was violating her
> rights.
>
> That being said, even when they are wrong, if a police officer decides
> that he or she is right, you are almost never going to win a battle with an
> officer on the street. They have the badge and a gun and other tools to
> take control of a situation. So, once I am instructed to do something by
> law enforcement, I will comply with that order so long as I do not believe
> it will hurt me or someone else. If I truly believe the officer is wrong,
> and he or she is a patrolman, if the situation warrants, I would ask them
> to have a supervisor respond to the scene to see if a supervisor could
> correct the officer’s misunderstanding. But I would continue to comply with
> the officer’s orders until the supervisor arrived and changed those
> directions. If ultimately I could not get the police to change their
> decisions at the scene, I would end up complying with their directions and
> then later resolve the situation through advocacy or via a lawyer. But in
> this day and age, I cannot imagine anything that is worth risking a
> physical confrontation with law enforcement.
>
> So the question becomes then, how can we avoid these types of situations
> before they even occur. Our goal should be to do everything we can to avoid
> having to decide between fighting for our rights, possibly going to jail or
> having to fight an unjust criminal charge, or even getting hurt during a
> confrontation with law enforcement. I believe the answer is education.
>
> Education should go both ways though. We should educate police departments
> on the rights of blind Ohioans, but we should also become educated on the
> stresses and dangers officers face on the job so that we can understand why
> they behave the way they do when they respond to a call.
>
> So how to learn about the lives of police officers you might wonder? Well,
> many local police departments now host what are called Citizen Police
> Academies. These are usually multi day events, often spread out over
> multiple weeks, where citizens get to attend presentations by officers and
> see how they do their jobs. I recently attended Kettering’s eight-week
> Citizens Police Academy. During the academy we heard presentations on the
> hiring process, the patrol function, the detective function, evidence
> collection, use of force policies, the dispatch function, and the
> relationship between police and prosecutors. We also saw demonstrations by
> the bike patrol, the k-9 unit, and the S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and
> Tactics) team, including demonstrations of numerous firearms. The highlight
> of the eight-week course, though, was the interactive portions of the class
> where we got to interact with officers. The interactive portion of the
> class also included sessions where we got to try out, on the gun range, the
> handguns used by patrol officers.
>
> But the most enlightening interaction portion of the Academy was the class
> where we got to experience the decision-making training officers are put
> through. In this training we were given a non-lethal training gun and we
> were put in two practical scenarios officers face regularly. In both
> scenarios, at some point something would happen where we had to decide
> whether or not to use the gun. Television makes it look easy to make that
> decision–it is not at all an easy decision. In the first scenario we had to
> try to talk down a person who was upset because a business wanted him
> charged with trespass because of aggressive behavior. In the second
> scenario we were put in the position of making a routine traffic stop where
> the person had been speeding. Neither situation was one you would
> anticipate being violent. But as often happens in real life, both quickly
> became stressful. In the trespass scenario, while I simply tried to explain
> to the individual that he had to leave the property, he became extremely
> aggressive and pulled a gun. In the second scenario, instead of simply
> accepting a traffic ticket, the driver immediately came out of the car
> screaming and waving his hands and then grabbed a baseball bat. He
> immediately dropped the baseball bat but continued to refuse to cooperate
> and escalated the situation rapidly. Then he quickly withdrew an object
> from his belt and pointed it it toward me.
>
> In the first scenario I shot the suspect because he drew the gun and
> pointed at me. The training officer said that was the right decision given
> the circumstances. In the second scenario I and many other class
> participants shot the suspect when he drew the item from his waist. It
> looked like a gun, and it was a split-second decision, but, as I
> approached, I soon discovered what I thought was a gun turned out to be a
> cell phone.
>
> In our class there was never any real danger, and everyone walked away
> from the exercise. But in real life these are life and death decisions that
> police officers have to make every single day. They never know where
> problems will come from or when they may have to make those life-and-death
> decisions. It could come on a routine traffic stop, a domestic dispute, or
> even a customer/Uber driver dispute.
>
> Participating in the Citizens Police Academy gave me a new perspective on
> why police officers act and react the way they do. So, while they are human
> beings who can absolutely be wrong in their interpretations of the law, I
> hope that you will consider the stresses of their job and the environment
> they work in when deciding how far to push asserting your rights during
> interactions with them. Remember, if they are wrong and you can’t change
> their mind, you are not likely to win a battle with them in the streets,
> but you can change their future behavior with education and advocacy, and
> in the courts with lawyers. But you might never have that chance if a
> situation were to go horribly wrong.
>
> The other thing I learned from the Citizens Police Academy is that most
> officers really do want to do the job well and are interested in hearing
> from and learning from the community. That is where the real opportunity to
> avoid problems comes in through advanced training.
>
> The Springfield Chapter has already started working with the Springfield
> Police Department to provide their officers training on the rights of blind
> guide dog users and blind pedestrians. We encourage all chapters to join us
> in reaching out to their local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and
> even local prosecutors to educate them on the rights of blind guide dog
> users under Ohio Revised Code Section 955.43 and the rights of blind
> pedestrians under the White Cane Law.
>
> In small towns you might be able to reach out directly to the chief of
> police to offer training and information. In larger cities you could still
> reach out to the chief’s office, but you might also consider other sections
> such as the department training division or the public relations department
> as a starting point. The level of assistance your chapter can provide each
> department will depend greatly on how the department handles its training.
> Some departments may want written material they can hand out to officers,
> while others might want some sort of short video presentation they can play
> at roll calls (beginning of each shift). And others may invite the chapter
> to make a short presentation at their roll calls or at a specific training
> event. Sometimes you’ll be presenting to supervisors, who will then present
> to officers. And other times you’ll be presenting directly to officers.
> Regardless, remember that police departments are twenty-four-hour-a-day
> seven-day-a-week operations, and departments have to have their officers on
> the streets all the time for public safety. So we’ll have to be flexible
> and provide the information in the format that the department believes is
> best for reaching their officers. The key is to get information into the
> hands of the departments to educate the officers about the rights of blind
> guide dog users to equal access to businesses and the rights of blind
> pedestrians under the White Cane Law.
>
> *****
>
> The NFB of Ohio Adopts an Inclusion Policy
> by Eric Duffy <>
> Editor’s note: On March 5, 2022, the NFB of Ohio Board discussed and
> adopted an inclusion policy. In the following article NFB-O secretary Eric
> Duffy explains the Board’s thinking and provides the text of the policy.
> This is what he says:
>
> Since its founding in 1940 the National Federation of the Blind has always
> been a single-purpose-driven organization. We focus on blindness and to a
> large degree changing society’s misperceptions of and attitudes about
> blindness. Even during the turbulence of the 1960's, the organization’s
> leaders stood strong and refused to allow the Federation to get caught up
> in issues related to the Vietnam war and social causes of the time.
>
> Our organizational purpose has not changed, but our understanding of
> social values and cultural norms has. We know that, because we are a cross
> section of society, we must address internally some of the social issues
> facing the country as a whole. We must recognize that as individual members
> we all have personal opinions, beliefs, and prejudices. Those things are a
> part of human nature. We are entitled to our personal views and
> convictions. We bring those things, whatever they are, to the National
> Federation of the Blind. We have the right to do that. What we do not have
> the right to do, however, is to impose our opinions, beliefs, and
> prejudices on others. We must treat individual members, groups of members,
> and those associated with the Federation in any way with respect. In other
> words we must check our prejudices at the door. We have an obligation to
> ourselves and to each other to learn new ways to view the world and to
> eliminate prejudice from our behavior and actions as much as possible.
> After all, we work to rid the world of misconceptions about blindness; we
> have an obligation to extend the same courtesy to those with other
> characteristics.
>
> If, however, we continue to harbor long-held inaccurate and stereotypical
> beliefs about others, we must not let these beliefs shape our work or
> behavior in the National Federation of the Blind. We must treat others with
> courtesy and respect. In our organizational work and participation, we must
> apply the Golden Rule. We must treat others as we want to be treated. For
> several years now we have been discussing and developing a code of conduct
> in the National Federation of the Blind, and the Code of Conduct was
> adopted by the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind.
> This code applies to all members of the Federation and anyone doing
> business with the organization. We have asked all members to read and agree
> to the Code of Conduct. We have done our best to let everyone know that it
> applies to every member.
>
> Recently the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio adopted an Inclusion
> policy to further clarify what should already be understood after reading
> the Code of Conduct policy. The Board of Directors found it necessary to
> adopt the policy in order to further the understanding that we are an
> inclusive organization and that we will create and maintain safe space for
> all who support the policies and programs of the Federation and abide by
> its constitution.
>
> On more than one occasion one member of the National Federation of the
> Blind of Ohio has engaged in behavior intended to intimidate others.
> Furthermore, this member used racial slurs such as the N-word on a number
> of occasions. This member is now a former member, because she was expelled
> from the organization for that behavior. We have no tolerance for this kind
> of behavior from anyone whether it is the newest member or the longest
> serving member of the Board of Directors.
>
> I urge you to read and understand the organization's Code of Conduct
> policy. I also encourage you to read and be sure that you understand the
> inclusion policy adopted recently by the National Federation of the Blind
> of Ohio. We do not take our power to discipline lightly, but bigotry and
> intimidation have no place in the Federation and will not be tolerated.
> Here is the policy. If, after reading it, you have questions, contact
> President Payne or any member of the Board of Directors of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Ohio.
>
> Inclusion Policy
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio is committed to providing a
> safe and inclusive space for all individuals, as deeply expressed in the
> organization’s constitution. This principle resonates through all levels of
> the organization, from national to local, ensuring that all individuals
> have a place in our organization. Blindness is the characteristic that
> binds us together, but it is our intersectionalities and unique lived
> experiences that allow us to continue to be a thriving community for the
> collective action and support of the blind.
>
> The Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
> affirms the following policy in March 2022: we intend this consumer
> organization of blind people to be a safe place for individuals of every
> race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin,
> disability, nonveteran or veteran status, political affiliation, and gender
> identity. We expect our members to respect themselves and others and to
> refrain from taunting or insulting others or using derogatory language for
> those who do not share their convictions or life experience. We expect
> members to conduct themselves with civility and courtesy and to apologize
> any time they have failed to conduct themselves to this standard. Behavior
> that opposes these standards is unacceptable, and anyone unwilling to live
> up to these standards shall be subject to discipline up to and including
> expulsion from the organization by the Board of Directors.
>
> Together we can learn what it means to be an ally to others. By being open
> to learning about the experiences of those with differing backgrounds from
> our own, we ensure the growth of a community inclusive of all. If you
> witness or fall victim to discrimination or insult within the National
> Federation of the Blind of Ohio, please notify any elected officer as soon
> as possible. The elected officer who receives notification of the complaint
> shall immediately notify the NFB of Ohio President or forward the complaint
> in accordance with the NFB Code of Conduct.
>
> Enacted by the NFB of Ohio Board of Directors March 5, 2022
>
> *****
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Contributes to Ohio 14C Task
> Force
> by Todd Elzey <>
> Editor’s note: The NFB has been making efforts all over the country to
> eliminate the certificates allowing sheltered shops and other employers to
> pay disabled workers less, sometimes much less, than the minimum wage. We
> have not succeeded in getting a federal bill passed yet, so people are
> working state by state. Ohio is also working on this very important
> project. Here is Todd Elzey’s report on the Ohio effort. Todd is the NFB of
> Ohio treasurer. Here is his report:
>
> The Fair Labor Standards Act Section 14(c) says that organizations can pay
> workers with disabilities, including those who are blind, below the minimum
> wage. This law has been around since 1938. Section 14(c) has resulted in
> many blind and disabled workers’ earning far less than a dollar an hour
> while they work on government contracts that earn their employers millions.
> The way the U.S. Department of Labor’s website justifies Section 14(c) is
> to say, “Employment at less than the minimum wage is authorized to prevent
> curtailment of opportunities for employment.”
>
> If there was ever any true justification for paying blind and disabled
> workers less than the minimum wage, those days have long since come and
> gone. The NFB has been working to eliminate the 14(c) minimum wage
> exemption at the federal level with The Transition to Competitive
> Employment Act (H.R. 2373/S. 3238).
>
> About a year and a half ago President Payne asked that Eric Duffy and I
> serve on a task force of Ohio disability advocacy organizations that were
> coming together to try to eliminate subminimum wage in Ohio. The group has
> become known as the Ohio 14C Task Force.
>
> The task force is being coordinated by the Association of People
> Supporting Employment First (Ohio APSE). The task force has grown
> significantly over the past year and a half. In addition to the NFB and
> Ohio APSE, People First of Ohio, OCALI, the University of Cincinnati Center
> for Excellence of Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDDD), Advocacy &
> Protective Services, Inc. (APSI), the Ohio Self Determination Association
> (OSDA), the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (Ohio SILC), the Ohio
> Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC), the Ohio Network for Innovation
> (ONI), Disability Rights Ohio (DRO), Gentlebrook, Project SEARCH/Cincinnati
> Children’s Hospital, the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, and several
> individual and government advocates have lent their expertise to the effort.
>
> The task force has been working with Ohio House of Representatives member
> Brigid Kelly (D-31) and Scott Lipps (R-62) to introduce legislation to
> eliminate subminimum wage in Ohio. Although it has not been introduced in
> the Legislature yet, Representatives Kelly and Lipps recently provided the
> task force with proposed bill language that would eliminate from Ohio law
> the ability of employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the
> minimum wage. The proposal would also prohibit the Ohio Director of
> Commerce from recognizing or issuing subminimum wage licenses. If passed by
> the Legislature, this bill would ensure the dignity of all workers with
> disabilities by ensuring that they are paid at least the minimum wage
> guaranteed to all other workers.
>
> The next step in the process will be that Representatives Kelly and Lipps
> will issue a Dear Colleague Letter introducing the legislation and asking
> their colleagues in the Legislature to join them by cosponsoring the bill.
> As we at the NFB of Ohio know, the more cosponsors a bill receives, the
> more likely it is to move through the process quickly. So we are asking
> that you reach out to your House of Representatives member to make them
> aware of the imminent introduction of this bill and to request that they
> consider cosponsoring the legislation.
>
> Once the Dear Colleague Letter process is complete, the bill will be
> assigned a bill number, introduced into the House of Representatives, and
> assigned to a committee. When that happens, we will be calling on NFB of
> Ohio members to support the legislation by contacting the committee
> chairman to encourage him or her to hold committee hearings on the bill as
> soon as possible.
>
> Given the late introduction of this bill into the Legislature, it will be
> a difficult challenge to get the bill through both houses before the
> December 31, 2022, deadline. But with enough pressure on the Legislature,
> we could in fact get the bill enacted this year. Even if we do not succeed
> in that goal, every effort we make now to educate the Legislature about the
> importance of this bill will pay off in the long run. So please join in the
> effort to eliminate subminimum wage in Ohio by encouraging your legislator
> to be a cosponsor of the bill and, when the time comes, by encouraging the
> appropriate Committee Chairman to hold hearings expeditiously.
>
> *****
>
> Do you have Shelbi’s Commitment
> by Eric Duffy <>
> Editor’s note: Eric Duffy is secretary of the NFB of Ohio. This is what he
> says about his close friend Shelbi Hindel:
>
> Shelbi Hindel and I have known each other most of our lives. My mom talked
> to her parents before enrolling me at the Ohio State School for the Blind,
> where Shelbi had already been a student for a few years. We didn't run in
> the same circles during our school days, but all that began to change after
> college.
>
> I joined the Capital Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
> Ohio in the winter of 1984. Although I don't know the precise timeline, I
> would say that Shelbi began coming to meetings in the fall of 1985, and she
> joined the chapter in early 1986. We grew in the Federation and in life
> together. This time was also the beginning of a very strong and close
> friendship. We began to rely on each other during both good times and bad.
> We became a part of each other’s support systems.
>
> In the year 2000 I began raising my boys as a single parent. Shelbi became
> even more important to me and to the boys at that point. When I had to
> travel to do my work in the Federation, it was often Shelbi who cared for
> John and Lucas. I knew that they were well cared for and that there was
> nothing I needed to be concerned about while she was caring for them. In
> fact I knew that they not only got care, but they also got her love, and
> the bonding among the kids led to lasting friendships even through the
> trying times ahead. We loved each other’s children as we did our own.
> That's the way life went for many years.
>
> It was not until 2012 that we allowed our friendship to blossom into a
> strong love for each other. But that it did, and that continued through
> 2016. In the spring of 2016 I took a job with the New Jersey Commission for
> the Blind. This meant that I went to live in Newark, New Jersey, and Shelbi
> stayed back in Columbus. It did not take long until I had destroyed all
> that we had built over the years. I destroyed our friendship. I sacrificed
> our love.
>
> I married someone else.
>
> Don't stop reading just yet. I am getting to the point about commitment to
> the National Federation of the Blind. Up until this point, much of what we
> did in the Federation, Shelbi and I did together. Now she was back in Ohio
> without any contact or support from me in any way. But she continued to be
> involved in the Federation. Her commitment to the organization did not
> waiver.
>
> Fast forward to 2019 when I returned to Columbus. Shelbi and I attended a
> meeting of the Capital chapter without knowing that the other would be
> there. I have always said that I would not let anyone keep me from
> participating in a Federation meeting or activity. I believe that is true.
> Shelbi took a slightly different approach, however. She determined that she
> did not want to be where I was. She decided she would not participate in
> the chapter as long as I was involved. This included Zoom meetings. She did
> remain active in the Merchants and Krafters divisions. Shelbi was very hurt
> by my actions, and, although I understood her decision, I didn't like it. I
> wanted her to remain actively involved in the Federation.
>
> Why do I tell this story? Because in the course of human interaction,
> things are said and done that hurt others. Many times we say or do things
> that upset or offend someone without ever realizing how our words or
> actions might affect someone else. This is not because we are mean,
> insensitive, or bullies. It is because we don't have that person's lived
> experience and therefore do not have their perspective on the world. But
> the work of the National Federation of the Blind must go on. The things we
> must do to change what it means to be blind must still be done. The next
> generation of the blind is counting on us to do our part. That is what we
> must do even when someone has caused us emotional pain or offended us.
> There is room for everyone in this organization, and we must all do our
> part to fill our space with a bright and shining light that gives hope to
> the blind of today and tomorrow.
>
> When I left Columbus, Shelbi once again joined the chapter and is an
> active member. As the late Paul Harvey used

-- 
Yours truely,

Asia Quinones-Evans

Phone: 440-670-6509

Live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back